BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Doctors Say Disks Won’t Halt Wallach’s Play

Dodger third baseman Tim Wallach was found to have two bulging disks and a herniated disk in his lower back Wednesday, but team doctors say he should be ready by opening day.

“I don’t think it will amount to anything,” Robert Watkins said. “We’ve recommended nothing more aggressive than anti-inflammatory medication. He should be safe (all season).

“I would expect he’ll have dramatic improvement in the next two to three days.”

Wallach, 37, who participated in light workouts Wednesday for the first time in three days, said his back already feels better. He took 40 swings in the batting cage and played catch.

“I had back problems last year, but they always went away,” Wallach said. “This one just got progressively worse.

“I think with treatment and exercises I’ll be fine.”

Wallach, who sat out a game last season because of back pains, said he began experiencing stiffness last week while packing for spring training. He participated in the Dodgers’ first workouts, but aggravated the injury and underwent an MRI test Tuesday.

“I want to see how he is (today),” said Pat Screnar, Dodger physical therapist, “but all indications are that he’s on the road to recovery.”

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Manager Tom Lasorda held a team meeting in which he strongly encouraged his players to be cooperative with fans this season. “We’ve got to accommodate the fans and bring these people back to the ballpark,” he said. “We’ve got to get them interested in baseball again. We’re a business that depends on the fans, and that’s more important now than ever before.” . . . Met center fielder Brett Butler said he spoke with Dodger President Peter O’Malley and was informed that his pro-union stance had no bearing on his departure from the Dodgers. “I’m going to have to take the man’s word for it,” Butler said. . . . Dodger reliever Ed Vosberg took batting practice Wednesday in the slight chance that one day he may actually have to bat in a game. Vosberg, an 11-year veteran, has not batted in the big leagues since 1986. He faced Vida Blue (line out) and Jim Acker (strikeout) in his only two at-bats. . . . The Dodgers signed four players, including starting outfielder Billy Ashley to a one-year, $132,000 contract. The other signings: pitchers Omar Daal and Greg Hansell and shortstop Rafael Bournigal. They also renewed the contract of pitcher Felix Rodriguez. Ramon Martinez and Carlos Hernandez will file for arbitration. . . . The Dodgers open their exhibition schedule today against the Florida Marlins. Martinez and Hideo Nomo will pitch for the Dodgers. Pat Rapp will start for the Marlins.